Written by: Stefan Eng, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Over the last couple of years we have seen a dramatic decrease of airline traffic as a result of the pandemic. People have published screenshots of Flightradar 24 show empty routes globally. IATA has been talking about a massive direct and indirect unemployment. So what will happen now when the pandemic has passed and many regions and countries are opening up? I Asked The Travel Professionals.
One of the more delicate questions is; How much of the Business Travelling will actually remain? I strongly believe that the Leisure travel will increase over time, even in comparison to 2019 figures.
Bleisure
I have a gut feeling that we will see an increase of bleisure too (Business and Leisure). The big question mark is without any doubt the Business Travelling. Tools, like Microsoft Teams and similar in which meetings can be held will save millions of whatever currency as the Business Travel will no more be a neccessity. So, how much will remain of the Business Travel?
I asked the members in my Linkedin Group, the Travel Employees Networking Group. The question I raised was; How much of the business traveling will remain when the “new normal” is a fact?
The big surprise
Surprisingly enough, the answers are not that clarifying as I thought it would be. When the voting is finalised, it turns out that;
20% of the respondents believe 70-85% of the Business Travel will remain.
30% of the respondents believe 55-70% of the Business Travel will remain.
25% of the respondents believe 40-55% of the Business Travel will remain.
25% of the respondents believe 30-40% of the Business Travel will remain.
Now, you should know that the majority of the group members and respondents are travel professionals so they should know the answer, right? But to me it is clear, no one really know where Business Travel and up when all this is over. The only thing we do know for sure is that people in general want to travel again.
The Caribbean Islands
Perhaps the Travel Business as we know it, has come to an end. Instead, we relax on the beach, face the sunset from the beach with Rum Punch in our hand. Looking back at times when we could visit the French Riviera 3-4 times a year. Or Bangkok, Miami, Amsterdam…
Stefan Eng, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Stefan Eng has almost 40 years of experience working for Airlines, GDS's, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, and Airline IT Companies in this global industry. In 2008, Stefan founded the Travel Employees Networking Group in Linkedin. The group is now a relevant and strong platform to collaborate and discuss travel industry trends. Also, members can find open positions or search for new candidates. At present, the group has more than 50 000 members.
To support the group, Stefan established in early 2020 the site www.travelemployees.com, an Online Magazine & Marketing Portal for Travel Professionals. Here the audience can find articles, quizzes, and lists by Stefan and his Guest Authors, as well as opportunities to advertise for (or find) the world's greatest travel products and services.
Stefan has just released the Travelemployees podcast where he invites guests for a chat on the history, present and future of Travel. (www.travelemployees.com/podcast) Travel Employees Networking Group's Online Magazine Travelemployees.com has been elected to be "One of the Best Online Travel Magazines on the Planet" by Feedspot.
Stefan is also a consultant in the travel industry, providing services, especially Product Management, Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Web Design, and Movie Creation.
